Abu Dhabi: Luke Joy maintained his lead in the Mena Tour’s professional Order of Merit with victory in the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open, round five of the nine-stage series, at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old overturned a three-shot deficit with a final round 68, buoyed by an eagle on the second hole, to end 11-under-par for the week, edging out compatriot and overnight leader Ross McGowan by a stroke.
England’s Zane Scotland and South Africa’s Tyler Hogarty shared third a further shot back on nine-under. “I played really nice and solid,” said Joy, who also won round three of the current series at Dubai Creek and finished second in round four at Al Badia recently. “I think my conservation and aggression did the trick in the end.
“Seriously, I never thought 11-under would be good enough to seal the victory. I was ready for the playoff, but I am glad that it didn’t happen.
“With two firsts and a second in my first three tournaments on tour, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I am really loving my run,” he added.
England’s McGowan, who led by two shots going into the final round, had his chances of repeating his 2012 victory at this venue, but ran out of luck when it mattered most. “I don’t think I made too many mistakes out there,” he said. ”It’s just that I landed in wrong spots at the wrong time, especially on the 13th that resulted in a bogey and then I three-putted the 15th. That’s golf for you — anything can happen.”
British domination continued in the amateur division with Elliot Oxlade sharing the top spot with Scotland’s Daniel Kay at three-over-par. Meanwhile, Morocco’s Younus Al Hassani made it two-in-a-row to win the top Arab award at five-under-par.
